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The vivo X5Max S recently appeared at China's TENAA with a 5.5-inch display and large 4150 mAh battery. While it isn't the world's thinnest phablet it does measure in at a fairly thin 7.29mm. Other tech specs include a 1.7GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, up to 128GB microSD slot, a full HD display, dual SIM, 4G LTE connectivity, an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Despite the rather midrange features there are no pricing details or Malaysia release dates but it is expected to come on 13 May 2015.

vivo Malaysia are now offering a golden chance to fans for 2 exclusive Sudirman Cup 2015 VIP tickets LIVE in Dongguan for the badminton BWF World Mixed Team Championships. Expenses will be paid for, including round-trip flight tickets and accomodation for 3 days 2 nights. To participate, fans must like the vivo Malaysia Facebook page, take a picture about vivo, badminton and enthusiasm, post said picture on your Facebook timeline and tag vivo Malaysia. You must also include the hash tags #vivoMalaysia, #SudirmanCup and #Livesmartplaysmart. Share the status and gain more likes to increase the chances of you winning the Sudirman Cup 2015 VIP tickets. Check out the vivo Facebook page for more terms and conditions. 

Huawei Technologies Malaysia have announced that their South Pacific ICT Roadshow will be coming to Malaysia from 19 May 2015 to 20 May 2015. The roadshow is a platform for industry experts, including representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, to come together to discuss the positive impact of connectivity on Malaysia, including the public sector, transportation and energy industries, ISP, businesses, and citizens. In this year’s Roadshow, Huawei is expected to announce its vision to leverage technology for public safety as well as for an open industry ecosystem in Malaysia with the theme "Better Connected". Apart from the discussions, Huawei will also showcase their solutions and technologies which have focused on making connectivity possible for all Malaysians. This year, the event will be held at The Royale Chulan Hotel Kuala Lumpur and you can register at http://enterprise.huawei.com/topic/ICT_Roadshow_2015/reg/register.html. Here's what Huawei had to say about it:

“We see immense potential in the growing connectivity landscape in Malaysia and across the world. As the country accelerates its Digital Malaysia vision, the positive impact of connectivity across all walks of life is only going to increase. Our long term vision is to leverage technology for better lives. The annual Roadshow has proven to be an excellent platform to not only educate the industry stakeholders on the possibilities that technology promises but also forming meaningful, long-term partnerships to achieve our vision of a better connected world. We are looking forward to two exciting days of dialogue with our new and existing business and industry partners in the country and Malaysians at large!” Abraham Liu, CEO of Huawei Technologies Malaysia

Samsung Malaysia have just opened up a trade-in programme for their latest Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones with 19 smartphone models to trade-in that give discounts off the existing retail price from RM95 to RM1000. Considering that the standard Galaxy S6 is priced at RM2599 while the Galaxy S6 edge retails for RM3099, this is a pretty good offer on the surface, especially as you now have the option to get the Galaxy S6 edge with 64GB storage at RM3599 and the previously unavailable Blue Topaz for the Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald for the Galaxy S6 edge. The offer is valid until 31 May 2015. Take a closer look at the trade-in table in this article.

Microsoft Malaysia recently announced that Malaysia would be getting the first Microsoft Authorized Reseller Store in Asia Pacific. Located in Suria KLCC, the store will offer various Microsoft products including Windows smartphones, phones, Surface tablets and software like Windows and Microsoft Office 365. The extensive line-up will be available for the public to get a hands-on and personal view with available Microsoft devices, apps and services. While it may be the first, it won't be the last as 39 more such retail outlets are planned for Malaysia by the end of 2015. Promotions will include the following:

• The first 50 customers to purchase any Lumia or Surface device will walk away with a pair of Monster Headphones
• With every purchase of a Lumia or Surface, customers will be able to participate in the Live Tiles of Fortune game, where they stand to win shopping vouchers worth RM50. 
• In collaboration with AirAsia, any purchase of a Lumia 532 and Lumia 535 will entitle customers to 5,000 worth of AirAsia Big points which can be redeemed for a return flight to selected destinations. For more information on this promotion, do visit http://www.airasiabig.com/promos/lumia/ 
• The top 3 (three) most creative pictures taken using the Mobsta device using the hashtag #MicrosoftMYStore stand a chance to win attractive prizes such as a Limited Edition Gold Lumia 930, Lumia 535 with Coloud Boom headset, and a Lumia 530.
• Customers can also get their free caricature done on a Surface Pro 3 by artists when they visit the Microsoft Store. 
• Every three hours starting from 11:00am, visitors to the store can compete with others in Zombie Tsunami. The top three scorers of each game will win a Seagate Wireless Plus HDD, Microsoft Treasure Tag and Coloud Boom Headset respectively.

Celcom Axiata Berhad recently announced that through a partnership with Gigalink Solutions Sdn Bhd, it will now be able to provide M2M (machine-to-machine) targeted digital media content for taxis. This will be done through the Smartaxiads plarform allowing Celcom to show smart advertisements on taxis via Celcom 4G LTE. The platform will include a touch screen and interactive content such as the latest updates in the city that should prove useful to the right passenger. The Smartaxiads platform will utilize tablet-size panels installed at the driver's and front passenger's headrests in the taxi while a mini-sized router installed inthe headrests will connect with the Celcom 4G LTE via a special customized dongle. Other capabilities include the ability to detect and track Smartaxiads equipped vehicles. The Smartaxiads platform will be tied to the meter, so it will only come on when the taxi meter is running. It has already been installed in 500 taxis for now with another 1000 expected soon. Future features include more interactive applications and a passenger panic button along with plans to expand into Indonesia in the near future. Here's what they said about it:

“As a pioneer and leader in M2M solutions, we are diversifying our services as the market matures with the dynamic change. We are supporting local entrepreneurs in their marketing convenience and business sustainability, and simultaneously leveraging on this platform to offer enhanced customer experience. This will efficiently enable our business partner to grow and have an "edge" in the market with our solutions, aside from enabling taxi passengers to enjoy wireless efficiency via fleet management services and the customisation that we offer,” Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Business Services and Solutions Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad

The Huawei MediaPad M2 tablet was recently revealed in France for €349 (RM1397). The flat and thin tablet with an 8-inch display a more grippy chrome trim but retains the same metal body and high screen to body ratio as the previous MediaPad M1. Tech specs and features have obviously been upgraded with a 64-bit 2GHz octa-core Kirin 930 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage and 8-inch display with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution. Other tech specs include an 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 4G LTE connectivity and Android Lollipop along with a 4800 mAh battery. Retaining the flat and thin look, the MediaPad M2 measures in at 7.8mm thin and weighs 310g but the price is higher than the previous RM1099 of the MediaPad M1. No Malaysia release dates yet but it should arrive in France or Europe sometime in June 2015. 

It looks like the supply shortage that plagued the ASUS ZenFone range of smartphones last year is thankfully a thing of the past as Dynamics Distribution Sdn Bhd have announced that new units of the ASUS ZenFone 2 will be available on 12 May 2015 at all authorized ASUS resellers. The first to get their hands on an ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphone were about 1500 ZenFans at the recent ASUS Malaysia #IncredibleZenDay launch last Saturday. DirectD have already announced that all ASUS ZenFone 2 variants will be available at certain branches today but if you're looking for a nearby ASUS Reseller you can contact ASUS Malaysia or Dynamics Distribution via their Facebook pages directly. Pricing looks to be the same as previously mentioned starting from RM599 to RM1299. Incidentally, all 4GB RAM version ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphones are also available here in Malaysia and remains the most affordable 4GB RAM smartphone in Malaysia for now.

We don't like being right sometimes and this is one of those times as the LG G4 is now available in Malaysia, but with third-party sellers like SatuGadgetDotCom and DirectD. Priced from RM3749 this is quite a big increase from the $649 (RM2329) pricing that it is normally going for but considering that LG Malaysia may never bring it in officially this may be the only way to get the LG G4 for some people. As a refresher, tech specs and features for the LG G4 include a leather backside, curved display and 16MP rear camera with F1.8 aperture, OIS 2.0 and a new Color Spectrum Sensor which improves colour accuracy via RGB values of ambient light. The 5.5-inch display also comes with a new Quantum display with 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution that according to LG offers better brightness compared to other quad HD displays. Other tech specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 4G LTE connectivity, a 3000 mAh battery, NFC,  802.11ac WiFi and Android 5.1 Lollipop. As usual with such buys expect warranty to be AP or store only but both SatuGadgetDotCom and DirectD have fairly good service track records. If the LG G4 stock doesn't get bought up we expect the rather high current pricing to drop exponentially like the LG G3 before it but only after 6 months to a year or so.

The ASUS ZenFone 2 #IncredibleZenDay launch has just happened, confirming earlier rumours about pricing, tech specs and variants for the ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphones available for Malaysia. These include the lowest-end 5-inch display ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE550CL for RM599 and the highest-end ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage for RM1299. Check out the full pricing which is inclusive of the 6% GST below:

• ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE500CL - 1.6GHz Z2560, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, 5-inch 1280 x 720 HD display = RM599
• ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE550ML - 1.8GHz Z3560, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 5.5-inch 1280 x 720 HD display = RM74
• ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML - 1.8GHz Z3560, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 FHD display = RM899
• ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML - 2.3GHz Z3580, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 FHD display = RM1099
• ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML - 2.3GHz Z3580, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 FHD display = RM1299